As an employer I would like to know

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"> Can we discipline employees who fail to turn up for work or phone in sick during the World Cup if we suspect them of taking time off to watch a match or recover from a hangover?</span>[/b]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"></span>[/b]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'"></span>[/b]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">Thrusting responses only please.

</span>[/b]</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial Narrow'">

 </p></span></p>

 

Yes, of course you can.</p>

But why would you want to?  Hardly a worker friendly policy, why not pre-emt any problems and arrange for likely candidates to start and finish at times that will allow them to see the matches?  It will improve morale and commitment (possibly productivity) and eradicate the need for expensive suspensions, disciplinary hearings and appeals.</p>

It's only once every four years for Christs sake!</p>

 

not really

you'd have to have evidence of them kicking back with a beer watching the world cup.

so unless you're prepared to get your camouflage gear on and hide up trees with a telescopic lense (i dunno, you might be into that kind of thing) then it would be too risky to discipline / dismiss then on a suspicion. if they claimed unfair dismissal you would have to be prepared to substantiate your claims.

 

(pint) (england) (pint) (england) (pint) (england) (pint) (england) (pint) (england)

 

RE: not really

If it is part of your usual policy to discipline for persistant sickness and this is part of a pattern of course you can!  You must be consistant though.</p>

 

Install TV's in the workplace so they can see the games

 

RE: not really

of course - but not on a one of basis.

ie takes this saturday off on sick

 

What about if they wanted to watch Coronation Street ? Or 'Lost' ?

 

You make sure people know that it is for this only, if a fuss is then kicked up about it cancel all arragements making everyone know why.  If that happens it serves you right anyway for employing people who don't like football!</p>

Or make them like &quot;dress down&quot; days with fines going to charity for people who take up the offer, or, here's a good one, ask your employees what you should do - peer pressure is a fantastic HR tool.</p>

 

I think you need to take proper advice first to solve this "Employers headache"

 

for England match next Thursday opening office at 8am for those who want to bugger off at 4PM.

 

Yes there is so much difference of opinion around that one needs regular, maybe monthly updates from a reputable law firm to acsertain one's position in such matters.</p>

 

During last world cup the plan at our office was to have a big screen in the canteen for people to watch games….however ONE woman complained about it and it was removed! There are TV's in some of the open plan offices though, just not ours…..imagine a few "meetings" will be arranged in the other offices!

We work flexi time any way, that coupled with Sky+ should mean I don't miss too many games.

 

ff

did you read it afore deleting?

 

Saved it to my 'legal' file. Seriously.</p>



When you are as unpredictable a boss as I am, it pays to have any legal knowledge to hand.</p>



Can next month's be on lewd behaviour ?</p>

 

"Mini Manager liable for harrassment of pregnant employee"??

 

For 'liable' read 'responsible'

 

And delete 'harassement'

 

Wimbledon

You'll always get someone saying "I don't like football, so can I watch the tennis when that's on?"

 

RE: Wimbledon

At which point I'd shoot the silly mare.